Darren Bent

[glasses]

I think Bent and Gabby have quite similar finishing ability. Bent has much better movement though, which means he generally gets more chances to have a go at. Hence he generally converts more than Gabby.

[Villanation]

Darren Bent is a true goal scorer of the classic sense, however that doesn't mean to say that he can or will do it for Villa, it happened many times in football Diago Forlan Man Utd, and many others.

Lets face it that scoring thing is a very fine line and if you use play a player that is purely that, a goal scorer, then the side must be set up for him, otherwise you take him out the game and that's what's happening with Darren Bent....IMO.

[Villanation]

I think Bent and Gabby have quite similar finishing ability. Bent has much better movement though, which means he generally gets more chances to have a go at. Hence he generally converts more than Gabby.

I actually think Gabby Agbonlahor has enormous potential as a goal scorer, the difference between Gabby and Benty is that Gabby is a grafter, hence you often see him working a situation, places a killer pass into the channels, wants the return pass, doesn't get it, and then you see his impression of the crucifix, Benty gets into the box and wants the ball straight at him, doesn't want to be to far out of position for it.

Gabby is a modern type of front man ( although he's stuck everywhere else but up front) and Benty is the old Centre Forward style IMO.

Personally I think if Gabby was playing for a real passing team, playing a high pace of football like Arsenal or Man Utd or Spurs i think you would see Gabby getting 20+ with consummate ease, the fact that Gabby consistently got his goal tally up there under O'Neill virtually on his own, season after season, without a gripe or a sulk tells you the quality the player has, yes he had Ashley Young but nobody could make me believe there is that much difference, for me it comes down to the fact that Gabby worked for his goals, Benty wants the ball to into his area of choice. 

[Monty]

In many ways I love the fact that Bent has made such a good player out of himself on almost pure intelligence (in the footballing sense) alone. There's certainly more to be admired in that than, say, Cattermole making a career out of thuggery or Delap out of throwing a ball well far. However, without the technique there there will always be a glass ceiling to how good Bent can be, and if we construct a side purely to maximise his one great strength and minimise his few but noticeable weaknesses, we may ensure that he scores goals but could decrease the chances of others scoring, meaning fewer goals for the team overall. I'm not saying we're too good for him, but if we want to get better, we may have to be.

I'm speaking in pure hypotheticals, of course. While we are fighting in the middle-to-wrong-end parts of the table, Bent needs to stay and play.

[Mazrim]

Bent's record speaks for itself. He misses some for sure but he keeps getting the chances because he's a natural 18 yard box predator. Something we were crying out for during the entirety of MON's reign and perhaps not had since Dublin.

[PaulTheVillan]

I never have any confidence when Gabby is put through 1 on 1 with the keeper. Always seems to hit the keeper, like Vassell did.

[Rick_avfc]

I never have any confidence when Gabby is put through 1 on 1 with the keeper. Always seems to hit the keeper, like Vassell did.

couldnt agree with you more on this.

Also, just imagine if we had Bent during MON's time at the club.  I definitely think we could have challenged for the top 4 with him in our side.

[Dante Lavelli]

Monty and Villanation summed Bent up perfectly. 

Everyone enjoys the masochistic pleasure of salivating over the transfer windows, yet the cold reality is that we have no money.  Cashing in on Bent maybe gives everyone the chance to play a bit of fantasy football. 

I'd be surprised if there is anyone on here who thinks Bent is not good enough for this Villa team.  However it is fun listing "the next big things" and imagine them playing for Villa.  Alas at the moment we need to imagine selling Bent to make this happen.

[Concrete John]

I never have any confidence when Gabby is put through 1 on 1 with the keeper. Always seems to hit the keeper, like Vassell did.

couldnt agree with you more on this.

Also, just imagine if we had Bent during MON's time at the club.  I definitely think we could have challenged for the top 4 with him in our side.

We challenged for the top 4 wothout him.  The big question is whether it would have become a successful challenge with him?

[Rick_avfc]

I never have any confidence when Gabby is put through 1 on 1 with the keeper. Always seems to hit the keeper, like Vassell did.

couldnt agree with you more on this.

Also, just imagine if we had Bent during MON's time at the club.  I definitely think we could have challenged for the top 4 with him in our side.

We challenged for the top 4 wothout him.  The big question is whether it would have become a successful challenge with him?

Yes I believe we would have been.  He would have had better players around him at the time, Ashley, Milner, Barry (possibly).  Look how well he did with half a season with Ash and Downing.  When Sunderland signed him for £12m, we should have been in there for him as well.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Bent's only as good as the ball you play him.

[PeterWithesShin]

I think Sunderland signed him the same summer we sold Chubby.
Would have been interesting to see Bent in a side with Ash and Milner though, especially as I reckon Milner could have played the kind of through ball that Bent thrives on.

[Rick_avfc]

I think Sunderland signed him the same summer we sold Chubby.
Would have been interesting to see Bent in a side with Ash and Milner though, especially as I reckon Milner could have played the kind of through ball that Bent thrives on.

Exactly.  I know we were flirting in and around top 4 but I never actually believed we would finish or maintain a good run to see us get in there hence why I stated just above that we would have challeneged for top 4 with him possibly in our side.

[Mazrim]

I never have any confidence when Gabby is put through 1 on 1 with the keeper. Always seems to hit the keeper, like Vassell did.

couldnt agree with you more on this.

Also, just imagine if we had Bent during MON's time at the club.  I definitely think we could have challenged for the top 4 with him in our side.

We challenged for the top 4 wothout him.  The big question is whether it would have become a successful challenge with him?

Unequivocably, yes. I am 100% certain of it. We dont buy Heskey and stick our necks out and get Bent instead and we're top 4 without doubt. And possibly cup winners too.

[Shrek]

So Darren Bent is in the same league as Linekar, Cole and Rooney...

You've all lost the plot, Bent is a proven goal scorer, but is wasted at Villa while AM is in charge.

Ideally we should change to suit, but it's not going to happen is it really?

We are stuck with Mcleish and are going nowhere.